First Tomb of a Warrior Woman from the 10th Century Discovered in the Carpathian Basin

An exceptional archaeological discovery has been revealed at the Sárrétudvari–Hízóföld cemetery, located in Hungary. Researchers have identified the first known tomb of a woman buried with weapons in the Carpathian Basin, dating to the 10th century, during the Hungarian Conquest period. This discovery challenges traditional conceptions about gender roles in medieval Central European societies and opens new perspectives on women’s participation in military activities.

The study focuses on tomb number 63, excavated between 1983 and 1985, but analyzed in depth thanks to new interdisciplinary techniques. The remains, although deteriorated, were confirmed as female after anthropological and genetic analysis. The tomb contained a set of artifacts that distinguishes it from others in the cemetery: a bow with a horn plaque, arrow fragments, a quiver, as well as typical female jewelry, such as a silver hair ring and glass and semi-precious stone beads.

The arrangement of the objects and the position of the body, slightly bent, are unusual in cemeteries from that time, further reinforcing the uniqueness of this find. Never before has a female burial with a complete set of weapons been recorded in this region, raising questions about the roles these women may have played in Hungarian society during the conquest, the researchers explain.

Hungary Women Warrior Tomb — A) Map of Hungary showing the location of the Sárrétudvari–Hízóföld archaeological site. B) Artifacts found in grave No. 63: 1) arrowhead; 2) bell button; 3) silver penannular hair ring; 4) a string of beads; 5) fragments of bell buttons; and 6) antler bow plate. Credit: Zoltán Faur / Luca Kis

The analysis of the bone remains revealed signs of osteopenia, a loss of bone mass common in older women, as well as healed injuries suggesting previous trauma. These marks could be related to intense physical activities, such as handling weapons or equestrian practices, typical elements of the life of warriors at the time.

Changes in the bones indicate a physically active lifestyle. While we cannot say with certainty that this woman participated in combat, her burial suggests she had access to a symbolic or practical role related to war, the article notes.

During the Hungarian Conquest period, the Hungarians — also known as Magyars — settled in the Carpathian Basin after migrating from the Asian steppes. This group, famous for its mounted archers, left a significant mark on Central Europe, both culturally and militarily.

Although archaeology has documented female graves with weapons in other regions and periods, this phenomenon is extremely rare in the Carpathian Basin. Weapons in female graves were often interpreted as amulets or symbolic elements, but the context of this tomb suggests a more active function.

The presence of weapons alongside female jewelry indicates that these women may have played multiple roles, from domestic to military or symbolic, the researchers say.

The discovery of tomb 63 not only enriches the knowledge of funerary practices and social organization of the time but also underscores the need for an interdisciplinary approach in archaeology. The use of advanced genetic techniques and detailed bone analysis allowed for the identification of details that would have been impossible to discern with traditional methods.

SOURCES

Tihanyi B, Maár K, Kis L, Gînguță A, Varga GIB, Kovács B, et al. (2024) ‘But no living man am I’: Bioarchaeological evaluation of the first-known female burial with weapon from the 10th-century-CE Carpathian Basin. PLoS ONE 19(11): e0313963. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313963